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When it comes to excellence, Quality Group Limited, Tanzania, has excelled in every sphere. It has made a name for itself in terms of technological know-how and innovation in East Africa, and is busy scripting several tales of success under the effective leadership of Yusuf Manji, the Chairman of QGL
With the entry of Quality Group Limited in the early ’70s, Tanzania as a country was introduced to the idea of quality, expertise and novelty. In many ways, the organization has been a driving force behind the improved socio-economic structure of the country, and has eventually turned into an institution that is basking in the glory of rich history and legacy. Having been in the race for more than four decades, QGL has lived with a vision to promote and keep up with its leadership standing coupled with fineness and superiority. And there has always been an effort to deliver more than what is promised under the headship of Yusuf Manji. Founded by Mehbub Manji, Yusuf Manji’s father, as a motor works company in the late 1960s, QGL has been a witness to several social and economic restructuring in Tanzania. And down the line the company has emerged as a reputed business enterprise, and has eventually become Tanzania’s lifeline. The organization’s headquarters are housed at ‘Quality Plaza’ at Nyerere Road in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which is a noted landmark and one of the most modern offices and commercial complexes in Tanzania.

THE VISIONARY

When Yusuf Manji took over the reins of the family business in 1995, he was only 20 years old. Under his direction the Dar es Salaam-based motor works company, QGL, grew from strength-to-strength and became a successful phenomenon. Today, QGL is a USD 1-billion conglomerate that deals in a wide range of verticals like automobiles, real estate, food processing, consulting, transport, aluminum, entertainment, e-commerce, media, and health care. Though things weren’t easy in the beginning, Yusuf took all the challenges head-on and through his vision and hard work, paved a way for QGL’s triumph. This evolution has been possible only because of Manji’s sheer determination, hard work, sharp business acumen, and his dream to conquer the world. However, it was sheer luck that when Yusuf took over QGL, the previously adopted socialist economy in Tanzania made way for a free market economy. Furthermore, the liberal market helped in the business growth.
Humane and pragmatic, he has immense capacity to turn any venture into a roaring success. Always looking out for opportunities, Manji is brimming with ideas all the time and believes in defying all odds. In fulfilling his vision, he is assisted by an experienced and senior team of professionals with local and international expertise.
When asked about his journey so far, Yusuf Manji says, “It has been all about my company and my work towards its expansion.” Manji uses every challenge as a stepping stone to success and has learnt a lot from his father, Mehbub Manji. He elaborates, “In my teens, I used to work with my father in his garage and watch him work till late hours. He loved what he did and worked with pure dedication and passion. It was an interesting phase as I was learning how to handle a business, and was also witnessing my father’s dedication towards his work. Moreover, I always aspired to be like him and decided to carry forward his legacy by expanding our company and bringing it to such a great height that he would be proud of me. Today, people from all over Africa, and from other parts of the world, identify Quality Group Limited by its name and work. What else could I want?”
Having learnt the ropes of business from his father, Manji has been well groomed to face adversities. He shows immense capacity as a leader and always keeps himself abreast with the latest developments. He has delivered exceptionally and has surpassed all expectations.
And how does he manage to achieve so much? What makes him tick? He says, “I love my work and it is passion that drives me ahead.”

INDIA CONNECTION AND EDUCATION

A native of Gujarat, India, Yusuf Manji spent most of his childhood in the USA and Tanzania. While he pursued his primary education in the USA, in Tanzania he completed his secondary education. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Administration that necessitated him to spend a year each at The American College of Switzerland (Switzerland), More House College (Atlanta, USA), and Hofstra University (New York, USA).

THE GO-GETTER

Having taken the reins of his family business in 1995, Manji introduced numerous changes in the organization, which went in sync with its dynamic structure. The set-up was completely overhauled and experts were hired in the respective fields. This professional approach helped Quality Group Limited scale new heights and create a niche for itself in the market. Support came pouring in and attracted several lenders from the East African region. This not only perked up the status of the conglomerate, but also built a spotless reputation in the market.
Manji single-handedly steered the Group to success, and in no time diversified and expanded the Group’s business portfolio. Hence, QGL today stands tall with its credible growth graph. One of the factors that make QGL a unique Group, is its investment in human capital sustaining the fact that employees play a pivotal role in the growth of any organization; an idea which Manji has been promulgating. He says, “I believe in exceeding expectations and this can only be possible if one is passionate about their goals.”
As far as business is concerned, Yusuf swears by QGL’s corporate motto of ‘Exceeding Expectations’. Devising his policies around the adage, he has created several milestones and makes sure to spread the essence to his employees as well. He makes it a point to encourage exchange of ideas and participation of the staff members during celebrations like QGL Day, Ramadan, Diwali Christmas and other functions.
A humanitarian at heart, Yusuf has unveiled several CSR initiatives through QGL. Besides helping the marginalized people in the society on a personal level, Yusuf makes sure that QGL plays a part in uplifting the poor. Under its CSR initiatives, QGL sponsors scores of students for higher education and also provides monetary aids during national crisis. The CSR initiatives by QGL in spearheading the Ebola control campaign of African Union Commission (AUC) have attained a pan- African stature and stand as a stellar example. Such has been the work of QGL in combating the epidemic, that Manji was elected as one of the Founder Trustees of Ebola Solidarity Trust established by the AUC.
In appreciation of his work towards motivating the young population of Tanzania, Manji was elected as the Chairman of YANGA, the Young African Sports Club. He has always been a major contributor towards the growth of the youth; hence, being the leader of such a prestigious organization gives him an additional platform to execute his inspirational programs.
Extremely passionate about his work and actively involved in Tanzania’s development, Yusuf Manji is also a family man. He says, “I don’t take a break, except when I go for a month-long holiday with my family to the mountains for skiing. There, I am totally cut off from work, as there is no network.” What’s his hobby? He says, “I love skiing and spending time with my family.”

MOUNTING HORIZONS

Quality Group Limited forms one of Tanzania’s premier and diversified business groups with over 50 wholly-owned and associate companies that enable them to provide employment to several thousands. Its manufacturing and export operations that cater to the demands all over East Africa are proof of the fact that its ambitions have no limit.
Always keen on exploring new vistas, which the ever-growing Tanzanian market provides, the company also keeps challenges and risk in the purview while doing business in the African continent. The sole purpose of QGL is empowerment of the locals in Tanzania, and it has tried to bridge the existing gap by setting up state-of-the-art energy facilities, infrastructure, revolutionizing communications and agriculture sectors, and working towards high-quality real estate options.
QGL produces a variety of products, many of which are market leaders in Tanzania and are exported to a number of countries spanning the African continent. Providing quality products and services to Tanzania with great zeal and passion, the Group represents some of the world’s most reputed organizations. Currently, QGL is venturing into newer businesses providing a variety of high-tech services such as e-education, e-health care, media service and mobile applications.
Quality Health Limited (QHL) is one of QGL’s latest ventures, wherein they have introduced the concept of e-MediClinic. QHL plans to launch a number of such clinics all over the country, which will help them to eventually reach out to the rural population as well, and provide them with the most advanced medical facilities in the whole of Africa.
FastaFasta, a mobile application-based service, has been initiated by QGL to provide services for booking taxis and bodabodas instantly. Such an application, which is quite popular all over the world, has been introduced in East Africa for the very first time. It aims to solve all the transport-related needs of the country.
Quality Media Group (QMG), a subsidiary of QGL, is a company that is in the process of becoming the largest media agency in East Africa. It is the one-stop media service provider, dealing in branding, radio, print and TV advertisements, billboards, signage, electronic media, and 3D animation. QGL gives high weightage to education, and believes that it should reach every citizen of this country. It is currently very difficult for the people to gain access to professional teachers, good quality books, and proper educational assessment. It is thus, for this purpose that it introduced e-education, a new concept in East Africa, which could reach even the rural parts of Tanzania at the most reasonable prices.
Ensuring that the Group contributes to the overall growth of the nation, it covers a wide spectrum of activities including agriculture, contracting, finance and investments, fisheries, food processing, manufacturing, services, trading and agency representation, and health among others.
Quality Group has also expanded their domain by forming long-term partnerships with numerous international brands. The world’s leading car rental brand, Hertz, recently entered into an alliance with Quality Group as a franchiser, with the aim of changing the way people travel in Tanzania. The Group has also partnered with high-end automobile companies like Chevrolet, Isuzu and Honda to bring elite brands in the country. Other internationally known brands like Kubota, Sonalika, BEML, Bridgestone, ASPEE and Greaves Cotton are also the main partners for the company’s farm equipment and automotive businesses.
The Group is now looking out to increase the export market of its manufactured products by seeking newer territories and adapting its products to suit these markets, and in the process, achieve self-reliance. To this end, ‘Employment Support’ for Tanzanian nationals, an area that has always been a priority to the Group, will continue to play a pivotal role in every facet of the Group’s growth and development.
Today, QGL and Manji, both are continually contributing towards the growth of Tanzania, and foresee the country’s economic progress to take place soon. When asked to share his vision for the future growth of the company, Manji says, “I want to see Africa, and specifically Tanzania, in the leadership map for bringing in the next generation change in the world. This, I believe, can happen only with sheer passion. In the near future, I see my company at such a great height, where it is capable of supporting efficiently, the aspirations of the people of Africa and develop the continent faster.”

“Education is not only a fundamental human right but perhaps the most necessary element of development of any nation” – Dr Wasil
Appointed Chairman of the CBSE Gulf Council, received the President’s Teacher Award, awarded a Fellowship for research at Cambridge, received the Sharjah Economic Excellence Award as CEO, felicitated at various forums, recognized as a key note speaker at diverse education conferences – these are some tangible outcomes of the meaningful and constructive role that Dr Farooq Wasil, CEO of Goldline Education, has played in his 30 years as an educator contributing to the education system in the Middle East.
An expert on the Middle East education sector, he has been witness, since the 1990s, to an exponential growth in the GCC countries in terms of increase in education spend as well as enrollment.

Government Support

To create a high level of awareness and a high standard of education in the Middle East, the Government of UAE has been extremely benevolent and supportive towards nurturing the education sector. Dr Wasil endorses the highly progressive vision of the UAE which currently devotes approximately 25 percent of the total federal government spending to education. The overall literacy rate in the UAE is 90%. The GCC governments, on average, spend about 3.3 percent of their GDP on education. Saudi Arabia in particular spends 5.6% of GDP on education.

Gender Parity

Statistics in Saudi Arabia show that more women are attending institutions of higher learning than men. Saudi women are studying abroad alone. Women are overcoming barriers and gaining more confidence and freedom, as female education and equality is on the rise in the Middle East.
Dr Wasil is enthusiastic about the developments, “Education is the only ladder to development for a nation, and contribution to this development comes from both genders. Particularly for women, education is a gateway to a better life, to better understand their human rights and to protect themselves against gender discrimination.”

UAE As a New Destination for Education

A remarkable feature of the 21st century is the fact that the world is now just one big village and the Internet makes us all think we are close irrespective of geographic distances or boundaries. With the increase in penetration of connectivity, today’s children are acutely aware of what is available as education not only in their own country but also across the globe along with a huge never-before exposure to the global employment markets as well as information on the skills necessary to succeed in these markets.
“Governments are also aware of the need for educational reforms as well as the need to inject the much-needed ‘new blood’ into education, so local education systems are at par with international standards,” observes Dr Wasil. “The UAE is a welcoming environment, which attracts international institutions to set up base in the GCC countries for the following reasons: strategic location of the United Arab Emirates within easy access to half the world’s population; a multi-cultural society in an increasingly globalized economy; degree recognition not only in the UAE and GCC nations, but also in the country of origin of the issuing institution; lower cost of living as compared to Canada, the US, Australia and the UK; offices of international businesses in the UAE, giving students a valuable opportunity for hands-on experience during their MBA programmes.”

Reflections on India

He has served as Chairman of the CBSE Gulf Council from 2002 to 2003. He notes, “The rules and regulations are the same in the Middle East and India. However, there is a vast difference in terms of cultural adaptability for our curriculum and schools which is an overarching priority for functioning in the Middle East. “Research-based evidence strongly suggests that no developing country can sustain high rates of growth without investing heavily in educating its young people, as education helps in the all-round development of the individual, makes them better prepared to face the myriad challenges of lives, and enhances people’s ability to lead happier, healthier and more productive lives.”

e-learning

Middle East’s education system is very advanced as they have already shifted to the e-learning mode. India has been cautiously moving towards it; however, whether the mode of learning is ‘e’ or otherwise, the watchword is quality. India is not very far behind in terms of creation of e-learning materials to suit the local curricula. Dr Wasil remarks, “While the phenomenon is mostly urban, with Digital India now gaining momentum, e-learning would also penetrate rural areas. This would be a plus for consumers since the Government would also initiate low-cost robust e-learning platforms and packages, which in turn will force private players to relook their price point.”

The Future

So, where is the future of learning spaces in the Middle East and India heading? As an educationist, he takes note of the research that old school facilities and the struggle of students & teachers with noise, glare, mildew, lack of fresh air, and hot or cold temperatures have a huge and often negative impact on children’s education. 25–30-year-old school designs must give way to new tools, techniques and teaching methods such as open and flexible floor plans with natural light to avoid Vitamin D and B12 deficiency, electronic chalkboards, portable computers, expandable networking and interactive video. Dr Wasil explains, “The difference can be similar to writing in the sand and surfing the Internet.”
In the future, the student population would be more multi-cultural, and teachers need to ensure that their individual teaching style encompasses students’ diverse cultural needs. To enable this shift to be successful, learning spaces and environments will need to be dynamic and fluid. A tech-rich environment and teachers as powerful facilitators and enablers in the learning process is the future.
Quoting the visionary leader of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed, Dr Wasil sums it up, “The real asset of any advanced nation is its people, especially the educated ones, and the prosperity and success of the people are measured by the standard of their education.”

During Lee’s more than three decades’ rule, Singapore transformed into the most prosperous nation in Southeast Asia.

Young and Dynamic Lee

Harry Lee Kuan Yew was born on September 16, 1923 in a wealthy English-educated Chinese family that had resided in Singapore since the 19th century.
Lee studied first at Singapore’s Raffles College (now National University of Singapore), excelled in the examinations, and went to England to study Law at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University, where he graduated with double starred first-class honours in Law. Lee married a fellow Singaporean student in Cambridge University, Kwa Geok Choo, secretly in London in 1950, and then remarried her in Singapore on September 30, 1950. The same year, he was admitted as a barrister of the Middle Temple, England; however, he returned to Singapore and started the law firm Lee & Lee with his younger brother and wife in 1955.

“He is one of the legendary figures of Asia in the 20th and 21st centuries. He is somebody who helped trigger the Asian economic miracle.”

– Barack Obama

Surviving the Japanese Occupation

During World War II, the Japanese conquered Singapore from British and occupied it from 1942 to 1945. Lee learnt Japanese and worked as a Japanese translator during the Japanese occupation of Singapore, and learnt in those three years how government and power could be used as the vehicle for revolutionary change and how punishment could deter crimes. He and other young Singaporeans were determined that neither Japanese nor British had the right to “rule” them and they could govern themselves. He also observed that British had failed to defend Singapore from the Japanese, and he decided to omit his English name, Harry, and be known as Lee Kuan Yew.

Independence of Singapore

Lee didn’t become the Prime Minister of Singapore by chance or with ease; actually, he struggled hard and rose through the ranks of his country’s political system. On November 12, 1954, Lee founded with a group of English-educated men the People’s Action Party (PAP) in alliance with pro-communist trade unionists. Their aim was to attain self-governance and end the British colonial rule. In 1955, under the new Singapore Constitution introduced by the British, 25 out of 32 seats of the Council were made electable. In the elections that followed, Labour Front won 13 seats, and PAP won merely 3. Lee won the Tanjong Pagar seat, and became the opposition leader in the coalition government led by the Labour Front. Being part of the Council, he represented PAP twice in London during discussions over the future status of Singapore. In 1958, Lee helped negotiate what Singapore’s status would be as a self-governing State, and a new Constitution was formed, under which elections were held in June 1959.

“In the end, my greatest satisfaction in life comes from the fact that I have spent years gathering support, mustering the will to make this place meritocratic, corruption-free and equal for all races – and that it will endure beyond me, as it has.”

– Lee Kuan Yew

PAP won 43 of the 51 seats in the assembly, and Singapore was given a self-governing status except in matters of defence and foreign affairs. Lee was sworn in as the first Prime Minister of independent Singapore on June 5, 1959.
On September 1, 1962, Lee held a referendum in which the “NO” option was not allowed and 70% of Singaporeans voted that they wanted to be independent of the United Kingdom and make a federation with neighbouring States. Lee declared Singapore’s complete independence from Britain on August 31, 1963; dissolved the Legislative Assembly; and called for an election to form a new pro-merger government. Singapore joined Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak to form Malaysia on September 16, 1963.
However, leaders of the State of Singapore and the Federal Government of Malaysia found themselves distrusting each other and frequent disagreements related to economics, finance and politics emerged between the Singaporean and Malaysian Federal governments. In July and September 1964, race riots between Chinese and Malays took place in which 23 people were killed and hundreds were injured. Amidst worsening ties, in 1965 the Malaysian Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, decided to expel Singapore from the Federation. On August 9, 1965, Lee held a televised press conference where he declared emotionally Singapore’s separation from Malaysia and declared its full independence. At the end of the conference, the Malaysian Parliament passed a resolution severing Singapore’s ties to Malaysia, and the Republic of Singapore was created.

Building a Nation

“Lee helped Singapore transition from a developing country to one of the most developed in the world, transforming it into a thriving international business hub.”
– Ban Ki-moon

Lee guided Singapore through a traumatic split with Malaysia in 1965, and then in a single generation transitioned Singapore from the status of a third-world country under British dominance to a developed country. Lack of natural resources, very limited defensive capability and primary dependence on Malaysia for water supply were main challenges of the nascent government of Singapore. Lee first got Singapore international recognition by joining the United Nations on September 21, 1965, and then founded the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) on August 8, 1967 with four other South-East Asian countries.
Undoubtedly, Singapore needed a strong economy to survive as an independent country, so Lee introduced a five-year plan and encouraged foreign investment to work for urban renewal, new public housing, greater rights for women, educational reforms and industrialization, and soon transformed Singapore into a major exporter of finished goods. By the 1990s, Singapore had become one of the world’s most prosperous nations, with a developed economy, strong international trading presence and the second-highest per capita GDP in Asia after Japan.

Stepping Down

Lee had a choice of staying in office for as long as he wanted; however, on November 28, 1990 he preferred to hand over the reins of the country and the ruling party to the younger generation. Goh Chok Tong became the second Prime Minister of Singapore, and appointed Lee as Senior Minister, a post Lee held until 2004 when his elder son, Lee Hsien Loong, became the nation’s third Prime Minister. After 2004, Lee served as an advisory Minister Mentor until he left the cabinet in 2011 after a continuous ministerial span of 56 years. He served his Tanjong Pagar Constituency as an elected Member of Parliament for nearly 60 years, till his death in 2015.

The Last Days

In February 2015, Lee Kuan Yew was hospitalized with pneumonia, and in March, he was on a ventilator, in critical condition; dying soon after on March 23.
What is left behind after Lee is a bequest of an efficiently run country and of a leader who brought unprecedented prosperity to Singapore.

Singapore’s GDP Per Capita rose from $427.88 in 1960 to $36897.87 in 2014.

The unemployment rate in Singapore dropped from 13.5% in 1959 to 1.8% in March 2015.

A deadly Mers outbreak has been reported in South Korea claiming several lives. Though cases have been confirmed in 25 countries in the Middle East, Europe and Asia, two new countries joined the list in May 2015: China and South Korea. A total of 122 cases have been reported in South Korea, which is the largest outside Saudi Arabia, where it was reported the first time in 2012, and from where the disease gets its name.

Hong Kong and China had earlier been infected by Sars in 2002 and 2003, when 750 people were killed and thousands were affected. Mers is a similar disease, and has infected 1,154 people and killed 434, according to the World Health Organization.

The South Korean President, Park Geun-hye, has postponed a summit with Barack Obama in Washington. Singapore Airlines has also decided to waive cancellation fees for flights to Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Further, as expected by economists, South Korea has reduced its interest rates. The South Korean economy is already in deep waters, and the Mers outbreak has made the country’s economic recovery difficult after appearing to pick up momentum in recent months.

The Aftermath of the Outbreak

9 people have died in South Korea since Mers was first reported.

700 Koreans have been quarantined and asked not to travel.

After a public alarm, schools were closed, public events were called off, and tens of thousands of visitors to the country cancelled their travel plans.

Hong Kong has also tested 33 people who recently visited South Korea and all have tested negative.

Effect on the Economy

The outbreak is bad-timed as South Korea is struggling with its exports.

The country’s economy is highly dependent on international trade and it is under pressure to introduce more stimulus measures due to weak global demands of its products.

Exports have fallen 10.9% from last year, the second-largest drop so far. The largest drop was 20% in 2009 due to global financial crisis.

South Korean households have debt amounting to about 160% of annual disposable income on an average, one of the highest among major economies.

South Korea’s central bank, Bank of Korea (BoK), has announced record-low rates after cuts due to the deadly outbreak of Mers. Now, BoK is concerned how it will manage the cheap credit rates with the massive household debt.

It has reduced the policy rate by 0.25% points to 1.5%. This is the fourth rate cut by (BoK) in less than a year.

The rate cut is also the seventh cut since 2012, when BoK started its easing cycle.

The interest rate has been reduced to block the economic fallout in South Korea which is fourth-largest economy of Asia.

What is Mers?

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a new type of coronavirus, which includes the common cold and Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome). It was reported for the first time in the Middle East in 2012, and the first death was also reported in the same year in Saudi Arabia. Patients show symptoms of fever, cough and breathing difficulties; however, Mers can also cause pneumonia and kidney failure, and gastrointestinal symptoms including diaerrhoea have also been reported. There is no vaccine or any specific treatment, and almost 36% of the reported cases so far have died. Although the majority of human cases of Mers have been attributed to human-to-human infections, camels are likely to be a major reservoir host of the virus and an animal source of infection to humans. Strains of Mers identical to human strains have been isolated from camels in several countries including Egypt, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Severe illness can cause respiratory failure that requires mechanical ventilation and support in an intensive care unit. The virus causes more severe disease in older or weak people, or those who have chronic diseases such as cancer, chronic lung disease or diabetes. The good thing about the disease is that no community transmission has been documented; the human-to-human transmission occurs only during close contact, such as providing unprotected care to an infected patient.

Viruses that can be transmitted from animals to humans are called zoonotic viruses. Mers is a zoonotic virus; however, its origin is not clear. It is believed that it originated in bats and at some point of time was somehow transmitted to camels. The virus appears to be circulating throughout the Arabian peninsula, and primarily in Saudi Arabia where more than 85% cases have been reported in the last three years.

When a kid received a ‘B’ grade in the arithmetic class of fourth standard, the teacher shared with his mother that the kid couldn’t do his work well, and was socially awkward and immature. His mother declared that he is unconventional and finds his own way to solve problems.

The kid grew up and in his Master’s degree program, when fellow students found him dull and reclusive, his Professor of Mathematics, Richard Duffin, declared that “This man is a genius”. After joining Princeton University, this man sought an interview with Albert Einstein to explain the errors in the general theory of relativity.

Fast forward, and this man earned his PhD in Mathematics at the age of 21, and grew up to become one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century, and won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1994. His name is John Nash and his stupendous achievements were an inspiration to scores of mathematicians, economists, scientists, biologists and political scientists over the years. Some consider him as good as Adam Smith!

No doubt Professor Nash was overwhelmed by his personal struggles—as depicted in the award-winning Hollywood movie “A Beautiful Mind”; however, celebration of his exceptional ideas—which could be much more astounding, useful and contributing to science and society had he not been crippled by his mental illusionary problems—is more important.

John Nash is considered a pioneer of Game Theory. He was a mathematician despite the fact that he won the Nobel Prize in Economics. He is known for the theory of Nash Bargaining—using which both parties would benefit equally if they accept the deal—mathematically showing the result. Though, Nash Bargaining has limitations in the form of the external conditions in any competitive situation, his phenomenal contribution to Game Theory solves this problem of external conditions. He developed the Nash Equilibrium, a new concept in the Game Theory, in which out of the given choices each player has in a game, everyone is making their best choice.

Before Nash Equilibrium, the Walrasian Equilibrium was prevalent, in which everything sellable is bought, all the money involved is used in transactions and the markets are deemed efficient. However, Nash Equilibrium suggested that outcomes may not be the best always—there might be non-optimal outcomes; they may be worse for all parties involved if taken individually, which is the case in the famous Prisoners’ Dilemma. Other examples include failed markets, because no party trusts the other; and economies harming each other owing to over-competing with each other, thus actually indulging in destructive competition. Though isolated models of strategic interaction pre-existed, Professor Nash developed a system. Now even Google relies on the Nash Equilibrium to make its decisions on auctioning its advertisements.

John Nash (86)—and his wife, Alicia Nash (82)—died in a car crash on May 24, 2015 while returning after receiving the Abel Prize—the esteemed Mathematics Award—for making contributions in the theory of non-linear partial differential equations.

He liked to work on basic mathematical problems. When he was an undergraduate, he independently proved Brouwer’s fixed-point theorem—you may stir a cup of coffee for any length of time, but a small part would be unmoved resting where it was initially. Another example includes a mathematical proof in the field of abstract geometric objects such as submanifolds of Euclidean Space. In layman language, even if you make multiple folds of a piece of paper with lines drawn on it, the lines will always be of the same length.

He also won the John von Neumann Theory prize in 1978 and the Leroy P Steele prize in 1999.

NOIDA is witnessing a laudable change in its entire urban eco-system under the leadership of Rama Raman, the Chairman and CEO of NOIDA Authority. It is shaping up into a world-class Smart City with state-of-the-art facilities and sound social, economic and institutional infrastructure. The city is spread over 20,316 hectare, a pollution-free zone and constitute an ideal industrial township equipped with non-stop power supply, clean water, a green cover and splendid residential complexes. It is one of the largest industrial townships of Asia located at the intersection of the Western and Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridors, and is also the gateway to the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).

Manoj Rai, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), NOIDA Authority, has cherry-picked innovations and has given primary attention to infrastructural development in NOIDA fulfilling the high expectations of people, realtors and the government. His vision towards transforming NOIDA into India’s first World-class Smart City is fast becoming a reality with wide roads, hospitals, parks, Formula One track, metro connectivity, and monorail.

State-of-the-art Infrastructure

The NCR has developed a number of green belts, gardens and parks to shape up into a pollution-free area. A modern, efficient and comprehensive infrastructure comprising residential facilities, commercial areas, business centres, office complexes and recreational areas has been designed. The design plan of the city goes in sync with its slogan ‘Green NOIDA, Clean NOIDA’.

Power Supply and Telephone

Along with an uninterrupted power supply, NOIDA has digital and optical fibre cable based state-of-the-art electronic exchange providing Integration Service Digital Network (ISDN) facilitating high quality voice, data and image transfer, inter computer file transfer, high quality and speed fax transmission, video conferencing and a variety of additional services. There is also a facility of local call connectivity to Delhi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and other adjoining towns.

Roadways and connectivity

NOIDA has become a unique destination with the eight-lane DND flyover that has a toll bridge already operational. The NOIDA–Agra–Mathura Expressway has also added yet another feather in its cap. The flyovers at nine busy points and 15 foot-over bridges for the convenience of pedestrian are going up at various places across the city. A six-lane bridge on the Yamuna River near Okhla Barrage is being constructed parallel to the existing one. Dedicated eco-friendly cycle tracks are being made on MP1, MP2, MP3, Noida stadium on both sides of Noida –Greater Noida Expressway for the benefit of cyclists.

Housing Projects

With an aim to provide accommodation at an affordable cost NOIDA has earmarked nearly 40% of total notified area of 20,316 hectares for residential purpose wherein houses under HIG, MIG, LIG and EWS categories have been set up.

Commercial Centre

Commercial centres will be constructed in every sector. A commercial complex has already been developed in Sector 18, which features outlets for fashion, décor, clothing and food etc.

Institutional Setup

Several world-class educational institutions like DPS, Amity, Apeejay, Army Public School, Ryan, etc. have been set up. Many organizations such as NTPC, Birla Research Institute, IBP, GAIL, KRIBHCO, PPCL, NFL, FCI, HUDCO, ICMR and BHEL have set up their offices here.

When Narendra Modi made a historic ‘Make in India’ speech on Independence Day last year, we got to know that the man means business; and a few months later, he exhibited his grit by launching the initiative with much fanfare in the presence of business stalwarts like Mukesh Ambani, Cyrus Mistry, Kumar Mangalam Birla and Azim Premji. It is indeed India’s most ambitious plan to boost manufacturing in the country till date. Besides, building an infrastructural strength the initiative also has fashioned a digital network to make India a global hub for manufacturing of goods like cars, software, satellites, submarines, pharmaceuticals, ports and paper etc.

The campaign has several new ideas designed to facilitate investment, promote innovation, protect intellectual property, and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure.
The ‘Make in India’ initiative has also seen the government doling out plans for several States that will make them self-sufficient, some of which are listed below:

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh will also play the most important role in the Make in India campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as it will lay the foundation stone for 62 projects with an approximate estimate of 6,796 crore.

Rajasthan

The textile sector in Rajasthan will get the best of technologies and innovations as a part of plans to build it into one-stop and most-favoured destination for investment under the Make in India initiative.

Himachal Pradesh

Himachal is fulfilling its promise are a reservoir of an immense amount of ‘Him’ in the forms of Ice, Fresh and Underground Water. And the seeping of this moisture originates a number of rivers, which flows through the states land called Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Yamuna. It is also the reason of dozens of lakes that covered Himachal Pradesh. Special incentives are allocated in the Prime Minister’s Make in India campaign for setting up of projects in the state.

Gujarat

In less than a month of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inaugurating the Make in India initiative, a slew of big-ticket investments in manufacturing have been announced, mostly in one of the most diverse state of India, Gujarat. A small chunk of plants have already been inaugurated and the others are coming this way.

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